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World Wildlife Day

An environmental advocacy day on March 3 celebrating the world's wild animals and plants, raising awareness of the benefits conservation provides and the need to fight wildlife crime.

Wednesday

March 2027

Last updated February 26, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEMarch 3

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYAnimals

SUBCATEGORYWildlife

ORIGIN

International Body Recognition

FOUNDING ENTITY

United Nations General Assembly

FIRST OBSERVED

2013

HOW THE HOLIDAY CAME TO BE

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 3 as World Wildlife Day on December 20, 2013, via Resolution A/RES/68/205, following a CITES resolution sponsored by Thailand at CoP16 in Bangkok. The date marks the 1973 signing of CITES and was established to celebrate wild fauna and flora and combat wildlife crime.

View Official Announcementvia cites.org

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

March 3 marks World Wildlife Day - the day when we honor and celebrate the world’s wild animals, plants and fungi! This global event was first established by The United Nations General Assembly in 2013 to raise awareness of the many beautiful species on our planet that are endangered or threatened with extinction. It's an opportunity for us all to take action and do something positive towards protecting wildlife around the world.

DEALS & OFFERS

2026’s deals have wrapped

See who celebrated this year, and browse offers from past years.

Offers wrapped for 2026

World Wildlife Day ran on March 3. Here’s who celebrated with offers this year.

1 brand offered a deal this year

James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art

See past offers

TIMELINE

World Wildlife Day Timeline

Formation of IUCN

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is established, providing the foundation for global conservation efforts.

WWF is Established

The World Wildlife Fund (now called the World Wide Fund for Nature), a leading international NGO in wildlife conservation, is established.

CITES Agreement

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international agreement protecting endangered wildlife, is established.

UN's Biodiversity Convention

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity comes into force, establishing international biodiversity conservation goals.

Google Earth Outreach

The Google Earth Outreach program is launched, providing NGOs with technology to visualize environmental changes.

First World Wildlife Day

The United Nations General Assembly proclaims March 3 as World Wildlife Day, a day to celebrate and raise awareness about the world's wild animals and plants.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate World Wildlife Day

Visit a Wildlife Sanctuary

Take a day trip to your local wildlife sanctuary and learn more about the various species of animals that live there. It's a great way to observe and appreciate the essential role that wildlife plays in our environment.

PLANT

Plant a Garden

Create a wildlife-friendly garden at home or in your community. Plant native flowers, trees, and shrubs that attract birds and other creatures. Be sure to avoid using pesticides and other harmful chemicals.

ORGANIZE

Organize a Cleanup

Organize a beach or park cleanup in your area to help reduce the amount of trash and pollution that can harm wildlife. Invite your friends and family to join you so that you can make an even bigger impact.

DONATE

Donate to Conservation Efforts

Donating money or time to conservation organizations is an incredibly rewarding way to celebrate World Wildlife Day. There are plenty of organizations doing great work for endangered species, so choose one whose mission resonates with you.

EDUCATE

Educate Yourself

Take some time to educate yourself on the current threats facing wildlife around the world. Read articles, watch documentaries, and talk with experts in order to gain a better understanding of how we can protect our planet's animals.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why World Wildlife Day is Important

It encourages international collaboration

The global community needs to work together if we hope to effectively conserve and protect endangered species. World Wildlife Day gives countries around the world an opportunity to unite in a shared cause and make sure that threatened wildlife has a fighting chance for survival.

It raises awareness of endangered species

World Wildlife Day is the perfect way for people to become aware of the plight of endangered species around the world. By learning more about how certain animals are at risk, people can take proactive steps to help protect them and put an end to their decline.

It promotes sustainable use of biodiversity

World Wildlife Day is an important reminder that we must all do our part to protect our planet's biodiversity. It urges us to practice sustainable consumption habits so that future generations can continue to benefit from nature and enjoy its wonders for years to come.

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